Introduction

Probably no individual, save the son of God Himself, has more influenced the cause of Christ than the Apostle Paul. It was he who firmly planted the church among the Gentiles. It was he who wrote half the books of the New Testament. And it is he who is the predominant figure in chapters 8 to 28 of Acts which we shall study in this lesson. The student will benefit from reading the entire account.

After the stoning of Stephen, a great persecution scattered the Jerusalem church throughout Judea and Samaria. This was a blessing in disguise since those scattered went everywhere preaching the word of God.

Philip the evangelist converted many in the city of Samaria, among them a magician named Simon. Philip was then led by the Spirit of God to a desert road between Jerusalem and Gaza. Here he met and converted a eunuch who was treasurer to the queen of Ethiopia. Doubtless, the man returned home to preach to his people.

The persecution was partially directed by a young man named Saul. He received a commission to go to Damascus to arrest Christians. On the way a bright light shining from heaven caused him to fall to the ground.

He heard the voice of Jesus instructing him to continue to Damascus where he would be told what he must do. Saul obeyed the command and for three days prayed and fasted until a disciple named Ananias came to lead him to Christ. Saul became a Christian, and now known as Paul, began to proclaim the message he had once denounced.

Our story now shifts to the activities of Peter. At Lydda, he healed a palsied man named Aeneas and at Joppa raised Tabitha from the dead. These events caused many to turn to Christ. While at Joppa, Peter received a request from a Roman centurion Cornelius to visit him in Caesarea.

The Lord instructed Peter to obey the call and he did so. As a result, Cornelius and his household became the first Gentile (non-Jew) Christians.

Some Jewish disciples questioned Peter’s right to preach to Gentiles, but when he explained the circumstances they rejoiced in Cornelius’ salvation. Persecutions against the church continued.

FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY

In the meantime, Paul and Barnabas, another gospel preacher, worked with the church in Antioch of Syria. From this city, they set out on their first missionary journey. They sailed to Asia Minor (Turkey) by way of the island of Cyprus and landed at Perga. Here John Mark, Barnabas’ nephew who had accompanied them, turned back.

They continued into the interior where they established churches in Antioch of Pisidia, Lystra, Iconium and Derbe. They encountered much opposition and at Lystra, Paul was stoned. Retracing their steps, they appointed elders in every church and returned to their starting point of Antioch in Syria.

Soon Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to help settle a dispute over the attempt of some to force the Jewish rite of circumcision on Gentile Christians. The decision against the Judaisers showed that the Law of Moses, of which circumcision was a part, is not included in the gospel of Christ.

SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY

Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch determined to revisit the newly established congregations. However, they disagreed on whether they should take Mark since he had previously deserted them.

Barnabas, therefore, sailed to Cyprus with Mark, while Paul took Silas and journeyed overland to visit the new churches in Asia Minor. From thence, accompanied by a young convert named Timothy, they travelled to Troas. Here in a vision, Paul saw a man of Macedonia entreating him, ‘Come over into Macedonia and help us.’

Heeding the call, he crosses into Macedonia to preach in Philippi, perhaps the first European city to receive the gospel. There he converted a businesswoman named Lydia and her household, and when he and Silas were cast into prison they converted their jailor and his family. After their release, they went to Thessalonica and Berea where they planted churches.

Because of Jewish opposition in these cities, Paul left for Athens where he preached his famous sermon on Mars Hill. Next, he went to Corinth where he established a congregation and remained there preaching the gospel for a year and a half. Finally, he sailed for Judea by way of Ephesus, visited briefly in Jerusalem, and returned once more to Antioch.

THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY

Paul’s third missionary journey took him through the Asia Minor provinces of Galatia and Phrygia. He arrived at Ephesus and here stayed three years while he taught in the school of Tyrannus.

As in other places he met much opposition. He finally left to visit the churches he had established in Macedonia and Achaia. Having done so, he came back through Troas, met briefly with the Ephesian elders, and sailed to Judea to be present for the Jewish Feast of Pentecost.

PAUL’S IMPRISONMENT

Everywhere Paul went he excited Jewish opposition. Soon after arriving in Jerusalem, he was taken into custody by Roman authorities to protect him from a mob intent on killing him.

He remained in prison in Judea for two years, being tried before the Jewish council, two governors (Felix and Festus) and a king (Agrippa), all without being sentenced. Finally, he exercised his right as a Roman citizen and appealed to the emperor.

His voyage to Rome for his trial was interrupted by a severe storm which wrecked the ship and cast the party on the island of Melita or Malta. All were saved, and three months later Paul again sailed for Rome.

The book of Acts closes with Paul as a prisoner in Rome, but from Paul’s writings, we learn that he was later released and then rearrested. Tradition states that this great man of God was beheaded about 67 A.D. in the city of Rome.

PAUL’S MESSAGE, THE GOSPEL

Paul once declared, ‘Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!’ 1 Corinthians 9:16.

He knew that what had been his means of salvation must be taken to others. The word ‘gospel’ means ‘good news’. Paul tells us it is the good news of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. This is good news because it is through the death and resurrection of our Lord that forgiveness of sins is made possible. Thus Paul states, ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.’ Romans 1:16.

In a broader sense, the gospel encompasses the whole story of Christ and His church. It has been said that it includes facts to be believed, commands to be obeyed, and promises to be enjoyed. Peter speaks of those who ‘do not obey the gospel’. 1 Peter 4:17.

We, therefore, know that before we can avail ourselves of the good things of salvation through Christ we must obey His commands.